Barrage Vauban

Another of the places that you cannot miss out on seeing if you go to Strasbourg is the Ponts Couverts area and the Barrage Vauban [Vauban Dam, in English] in the historic quarter of the city, Petite France.

Both the Ponts Couverts and the dam date back to the medieval period. The Ponts Couverts divide the River Ill into five parts. Currently, there are five towers and three arches that the river flows through, but it was previously used as a defensive system, as the arches could be closed off to cause flooding in the area of influence and, therefore, block the advancing of enemy troops. In addition to this, the towers also served as a jail and a quarantine area for the injured and unwell, etc.

What I didn't discover until almost the end of my stay in Strasbourg, however, were the incredible views that you could get by climbing up to the panoramic terrace of the Vauban Dam. From there, you can admire the Ponts Couverts with the majestic cathedral in the background. It makes for one of those typical photos that you see when you search for "Strasbourg" on Google, but I originally didn't know where the photos were taken from and I am now very happy to have discovered the location for myself.

In addition to the panoramic terrace within the dam itself, we could also see some quite impressive sculptures, as well as others at Strasbourg Cathedral that were in the process of being restored.

It is also to come here at night and see the area all lit up. On Valentine's Day, the dam is decorated with hearts and red lights.

The opening hours to enter the dam or to climb up to the panoramic terrace are from 9am until 7:30pm from Monday to Sunday, and comes at no cost to you at all!

Without a shadow of a doubt, the panoramic viewing terrace is one of my favourite places in Strasbourg (I couldn't narrow it down to just one), and whenever I come back, I will not hesitate for a second in going back there and taking in this absolutely beautiful view.